Published: Monday, May 6, 2013 at 10:39 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, May 6, 2013 at 10:39 a.m.

Wilmington has some of the cheapest gas in North Carolina, but South Carolina has the cheapest gas in the nation.

AAA reported Monday that the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in the Port City was $3.38.

The state average was $3.41.

Asheville has the state's priciest petrol at $3.45 a gallon.

In general, gas prices in North Carolina were down slightly from Monday, April 29, and nearly 15 cents cheaper than this time last month.

A year ago, the statewide price of gas was $3.73 a gallon.

But the Tar Heel State still trailed South Carolina, which has one of the lowest state gas taxes in the country. As of Jan. 1, South Carolina's gas excise tax was 16 cents a gallon while North Carolina's was 37.5 cents, according to the American Petroleum Institute. The federal gas tax, which is applied uniformly across the country, is 18.4 cents a gallon.

AAA reported that the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Myrtle Beach Monday was just under $3.19.

South Carolina's average price was $3.21 a gallon – the lowest in the land.

Both Carolinas are well below the national average of $3.52 a gallon. California has the most expensive gas in the Lower 48 at $3.91 a gallon.

So will gas prices keep sliding as the summer travel season approaches?

It's doubtful. Oil prices were rising Monday as traders continued to factor in the stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report for March, which could mean the economic recovery is finally gaining some traction.

Demand for oil tends to increase when the economy picks up, as factory output increases, more goods are shipped, and people in general drive more.

The uptick in violence between Israel and Syria also was pushing oil prices higher.

<p>Wilmington has some of the cheapest gas in North Carolina, but South Carolina has the cheapest gas in the nation.</p><p>AAA reported Monday that the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in the Port City was $3.38.</p><p>The state average was $3.41.</p><p>Asheville has the state's priciest petrol at $3.45 a gallon.</p><p>In general, gas prices in North Carolina were down slightly from Monday, April 29, and nearly 15 cents cheaper than this time last month.</p><p>A year ago, the statewide price of gas was $3.73 a gallon.</p><p>But the Tar Heel State still trailed South Carolina, which has one of the lowest state gas taxes in the country. As of Jan. 1, South Carolina's gas excise tax was 16 cents a gallon while North Carolina's was 37.5 cents, according to the American Petroleum Institute. The federal gas tax, which is applied uniformly across the country, is 18.4 cents a gallon.</p><p>AAA reported that the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Myrtle Beach Monday was just under $3.19.</p><p>South Carolina's average price was $3.21 a gallon – the lowest in the land.</p><p>Both Carolinas are well below the national average of $3.52 a gallon. California has the most expensive gas in the Lower 48 at $3.91 a gallon.</p><p>So will gas prices keep sliding as the summer travel season approaches?</p><p>It's doubtful. Oil prices were rising Monday as traders continued to factor in the stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report for March, which could mean the economic recovery is finally gaining some traction.</p><p>Demand for oil tends to increase when the economy picks up, as factory output increases, more goods are shipped, and people in general drive more.</p><p>The uptick in violence between Israel and Syria also was pushing oil prices higher.</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9924"><b>Gareth McGrath</b></a>: 343-2384</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @Gman2000</p>